Cricket is beginning an impressive innings in Fiji with the National Sports Commission (FNSC) launching its ‘Outreach Programme,’ to evince the larger interest of Fijians to play the game.
Saiasi Fuli, who was recently appointed as Fiji’s National Development Manager said that the Programme aims to reach out to people in rural areas, identify and promote youngsters with the potential to play Cricket..
He was speaking ahead of a delegation visiting the Kadavu region as a part of the initiative.
“Many youngsters and young groups in many areas may not have heard of the game. We are sure that we will be able to build good teams in the future. The Commission sends two development officers from each sporting organisation to teach our youth the basics of their respective sports. Annually, six visits take place as a part of the Programme,” he said.
Sustained promotion
Mr Fuli said that the Programme afforded a good opportunity to ‘spread the Gospel of Cricket.’
Joeli Mateyawa, Iniasi Cakacaka and Kitione Tavo.have been deputed to Kadavu to promote Cricket. They will be accompanied by a delegation of officials from the FNSC and other sports organisations.
The Commission’s plan provides for one development officer to implement the Outreach Programme, while the other two will run a special Cricket Programme for children.
Their aim is to enlist students from at least 12 primary schools.
“We would like to evince the interest of school children in Cricket and encourage them to play the Game as a part of their regular curriculum. We are fortunate to run two programmes at the same time Mr Fuli said.
He hoped that Cricket will grow in popularity in Southern Fiji with a Kadavu team participating in some of the competitions scheduled to be held in Viti Levu next year.
